Most Popular Books by Niki Daly

Alastair D''Arcy McDermott - otherwise known as Al - is less than thrilled at his holiday project: helping out at the local old people''s home. How did he end up getting stuck with old Violet Rose and batty Major Maddocks? But then he meets the sinister Mrs Black, and the fun begins - Al''s on his greatest mission yet ... And don''t miss the first story of Al''s adventures, OPERATION ITCHY BUM.

Bau knows as many dances as there are seeds in a calabash rattle. But she does not know the magic dance of the rainbull, which brings the rains -- only the rainmaiden knows that. One day, a terrible drought seizes the land, and Bau sets off in search of the rainmaiden to save her people.

In this version of "Little Red Riding Hood," set in Ghana, a young girl fails to heed Granny''s warning about the dangers of talking to strangers.

Jackson the donkey works very hard, carrying loads of mielies, carrots and potatoes up the hill to market every week, from the little farm where he lives with the farmer, his wife Beauty and his son Goodwill. But one day Jackson just stops, halfway up the hill. The farmer pushes him, pulls him, shouts at him. But Jackson WILL NOT BUDGE. Just as the farmer is about to beat his donkey, little Goodwill comes running up the hill. Quickly he whispers something in the donkey''s ear - and, straightaway, the old donkey gets to his feet. The farmer is astonished. What could be the secret of the boy''s message? "Well," says Goodwill, "Mama told me it''s the little things like saying please and thank you, that make a big difference in this world." And from that day on, the farmer remembers to thank his old donkey for helping him, and Jackson does his work willingly.

Alistair D''Arcy McDermott has a great mum and a great dad who love him very much ... but aren''t so keen on each other. He also has a best friend with a wicked laugh and a teacher who wears tight white trousers and likes humiliating kids. So when his mum decides that she''s going on a blind date with the teacher from hell, Burke the Jerk, Al''s worst nightmare has come true. And when she tells him that they''re going on holiday with her new man, Al''s got to do something drastic. He packs his bag of total destruction and heads off for the holiday of a lifetime ...

Ruby''s loud voice annoys everyone around her until she learns to control her volume with the help of her new jazz musician friends.

While doing a good job of caring for his grandfather''s sheep and goat on the grasslands of South Africa, young Malusi dreams of everything from owning his own dog to becoming president one day. Illustrations.

Set in the South African Karoo, this tale of a young girl who has difficulty learning to read conveys the power and magic of a good book and the joy of having a good friend to share it with. Full color.

From award winning children''s writer Niki Daly, author and illustrator of the Lolo early reader series Whether it''s jumping in puddles with Tata in the rain, greeting the neighborhood cat on the quiet back streets with Gogo, or holding hands with Mama while rushing to make the bell, walking to school with family is the best. But nothing is better than walking to school with Papa. From high above, resting on Papa''s shoulders, all of the town is in perfect view, and Papa always says "I love you" when he says goodbye. A sweet ode to fatherhood and the special relationships children share with each member of their family, On My Papa''s Shoulders reminds us that it''s not about where we''re going, but rather the people who walk with us along the way.

This highly original, genially dotty and beautifully crafted book is meant entirely for our enjoyment and delectation. Lovingly written and illustrated by award-winning children''s author Niki Daly, this whimsical story for adults has been conceived in the style of Edward Lear and is full of visual puns, quirky delights, leg-pulls and japes that will tickle your fancy and amuse your eye as no other book has done for a long time. The book is in colour throughout with faux marbled paper on the case and a paper jacket that comes out of an older tradition of bookmaking.

A controversial new teacher at Bayside Preparatory School introduces the exciting world of art to aspiring artist Bettina Valentino and her fifth-grade classmates, encouraging them to see everyday life in a different way.

With his granddaughter''s help, Papa Lucky takes his love of dancing into the street and makes some extra money.

Ashraf, a South African boy who lives in a big city, dreams of the African wild.

A toy mouse longs to have an adventure he can tell his friends about.

Henrietta is very helpful around the house--even handling medical emergencies when her father cuts his finger.

When Fran trespasses in her big brother''s room and dresses up like a monster, she finds that he forgives her and enjoys her new scary identity.

A father''s drinking causes pain and embarrassment to his family, until he begins to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Little Josh is ignored by his sister and her friend as they play, until he interests them in a game he creates.

A most unusual family goes out on a weird shopping trip.

There was once a time when Sun and Moon lived on the earth--but that was before the rapturous Sun invited the never-ending Sea to visit in this playful version of an eastern Nigerian (Ibibio) creation myth. "This delightful story is outfitted in humor, a mock seriousness, and drama....A wondrous and alluring work."--Kirkus Reviews.

Fashion designer, artist, musician or dancer? Which will your littlest artist choose?

How do you deal with a bunch of "wild ones" on your first day at school? Nicholas is faced with a gang of bullies including big Charlie, mean Jake, Wedgie Reggie and, worst of all, their girl leader, Cindy Crocker. But through a combination of artistic talent and inventiveness Nicholas eventually wins the admiration of the wild ones and makes a surprising new friend. A great picture story book about bullying, problem-solving and friendship from multi award-winning author-illustrator Niki Daly.

Mr. and Mrs. Tati love the baby piglet that Mr. Tati brings home, but they wonder what will happen when the piglet goes to school.

In these four easy-to-read stories, join Lolo as she makes homemade soup for her mom, grows a tomato plant, faces down a scary noise at night, and takes a vacation with some unexpected detours. The third book in Niki Daly''s beloved Lolo children''s book series.

In South Africa, a young black boy shares a special day with his grandmother when they go into the city on a shopping trip.

Based around the commedia dell''arte tradition - the popular Italian street comedy using stock characters, this book tells the tale of Angelo, who longs to be a clown as famous as his grandfather Zan Polo, once was.

In Renaissance Venice, Angelo, longing to be as famous a clown as his grandfather, decides to do something special with his small part in his grandfather''s commedia dell''arte production during Carnival.

In his favorite library book Ashraf has seen the wild untamed side of Africa, but he knows and loves the city he lives in at the tip of the African continent, with all its street musicians, unique shops, and meandering alleys.

Welcome to Zanzibar Road

Despite such distractions as going to the bathroom, looking at his book, and playing with his building blocks, young Toby eventually gets his oft-repeated wish to see the moon.